I bought this arrow the other day and when I electrify it, the bulbs will light up but no blink. The blinking comes from this little motorized assembly inside the sign. It has an electrical motor and some bumpy type wheels that open and close a couple sets of points!I'd like to make it work again but where to go with this? Anyone have any experience with these signs? There must be a newer electronic type blinker assembly that could be installed? To find parts for the old assembly has to be impossible!Thanks to anyone that can offer advice!--KEVIN

Im confused as to how it works?The big disc in the back is made of copper(I think) and it has gears on it that turn the shafts hooked to the wheels that open the points. BUT--there is NO CONNECTION between the electric motor looking thingy and that big wheel.The black piece on the left in the last picture has fine copper windings and looks like an electric motor field.Am I wrong and its not an electric motor and is really an electromagnet type device that propels the big wheel? If thats the case, maybe it could be replaced?

For what it's worth, the motor looks exactly like the motors Marvy used in their barber poles until a few years ago. The only thing to go wrong with the motor would be the coil. Your mechanical stuff looks to be in pretty good shape and you may wish to keep it original. If that's the case I would first change the coil and see where you're at. Here's an eBay # for a seller of those, 310405718965

Wow! With all the time I spend on ebay, you'd think that I would have brains enough to type in "flashing arrow"??????Not this time---maybe it was because I was so confused as to how it works. That coil must spin the disc somehow?I'd like to do it original but the points are pretty rough and I would have to manufacture the little spoked wheels that open the points, as they are a fiber material and are kinda worn down? Unless someone has a complete unit to sell, its probably best to go the solid state way!

Cool arrow sign! While what Dave is recommending will work, it will not match what you had exactly. The solid state unit on ebay is a 2 point flasher with 70 flashes per minute. The one you have in your sign is a 2 circuit chaser with 8 alternating lobes which generates 240 flashes per minute per circuit (it WILL get your attention).

The unit you have is still made today, and I would recommend replacing the whole flasher rather than just the coil - although you may get by with a coil? I prefer to replace and know it's going to work well for another 50 years. These mechanical flasher units are very reliable - and it would be a quick, easy replacement wire for wire. You can get one from a local sign supplier or PM me and I can get one for you.

To answer your other questions, it is indeed an electric motor, the large disc is a flywheel which gives it the smooth, trouble free functionality these are known for. A little contact burnishing every 5-10 years and you are good to go again! For anyone else working on something similar and considering a solid state flasher - watch your loads -the one in discussion here from ebay is rated for 600 watts, while this mechanical flasher will handle 1150/circuit in this configuration.

You might find a solid state unit that emulates this same action - but I find that the mechanical units work well, are original to the sign, have a cool old "sound" to them, and you don't have to worry about some chip going bad.....

what Dick is showing is more than what you need for this application. The one you need should be about 1/2 of that (around $100). Yes, the solid state unit will be cheaper - but I'd still recommend the mechanical unless you really prefer it to be quiet or want to save money. Just my opinion. Thx

I agree that I'd like to stick to original as much as possible.Its good to know that this stuff is still available! My local sign company could probably handle it but they are terribly slow with stuff.